Thamel – A Shoppers Paradise

 

Thamel , Nepal , Shopping , Kathmandu , Travelog , Photography

artifacts

 

My trysts with Thamel occurred multiple times throughout the Nepal tour on different days at different times and if I speak from a photographers’ perspective at different light zones …

Thamel , Nepal , Shopping , Kathmandu , Travelog , Photography

Nepalee Rickshaw

 

I first got introduced to her on my second day at Kathmandu  – it was a gloomy day where the sky was overcast and it had been raining in Kathmandu for the last few days . Like many travelers I believe that you need to avail local transport in a new city to get to know it better. So I took a rickshaw which was more like the ones that are seen in Chandernagore my hometown though a little more spacious and definitely more colorful.

The rickshaw took me to Hanuman Marg Durbar Square and that’s when I smelt her bylanes and dark allies for the first time and that was it – It was love at first sight which kept me coming back to her, time and again during the next few days and even pay her a secret visit on my day of leaving taking a detour at the risk of missing a flight – all this to pick up few CDs of Nepali music by Prem Rana Autari

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The yummy Falafel

So what makes her this charming and beautiful ? It’s a little world in itself . From food to shops to Music  to hotels to night life you get all in this full wi fi zone of Nepal . Starting from the food as always, this place is crowded with various restaurants offering diff cuisines in all price ranges. From continental to Authentic Newari meal you get everything here . One of the cafes that we visited was Helena’s . A 3 storied building with perhaps the tallest rooftop in Thamel one can either sit open air on 3rd floor or inside the cosy interiors . This is one of the well known joints and the apple cake served there is a must try . As a photographer one must not miss the chance of going up on the roof top and capture the  Thamel Skyline .. If you are in a mood to flirt with your taste buds don’t miss out the various road side joints and cafes and one recommended is Chick N Falafal – please don’t miss it

Thamel , Nepal , Shopping , Kathmandu , Travelog , Photography

Masks everywhere

If I may say this place is infested with shops and it is like a pilgrimage for shopaholics then I am not exaggerating . Don’t be surprised if you end up buying an additional luggage after you have visited Thamel. Thanka Pantings (paintings on any form of cloth depicting a Buddha Daiety or Mandala )  Tibetan singing bowls , pashmeena garments , attractive junk  jewellery, various shapes and forms of prayer wheels , local artefacts , mountaineering geer are few of the must checkouts .

Thamel , Nepal , Shopping , Kathmandu , Travelog , Photography , Music

The music seller

If you are a music lover with an inclination towards different genres of music then Thamel has something in store for you too. Almost every fourth shop is a music shop with an envying collection of music and nepaleese folk music in particular.  We know and remember a place through our senses and Thamel will always etch a mark in your heart for all the music that keeps on playing from the Music stores and the people selling musical instruments for kids . Long after you leave Thamel, the music continues to play in your mind occasionally causing you to humm the enchanting tunes …..

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The name rings a separate memory altogether

I have experienced her in different shades and moods and if on your exit from Thamel after the first visit you already plan for the second – let me assure – you are absolutely normal …

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The wild side

P.S. – She has an erotic wild side also which only surfaces in the late evening and its definitely not meant for weak hearted and family men …